Final answer:
1. Humus is dark, highly decomposed organic matter found in soil.
2. Loam is a mixture of materials that holds moisture and drains well.
3. Sand contains coarse grains and allows water to drain quickly.
4. Silt contains medium grains and retains water.
5. Clay contains fine grains and has little space for water.
Step-by-step explanation:
1. Humus is dark, highly decomposed organic matter found in soil. It is composed of microorganisms, decaying plants and animals, and is crucial for improving soil structure, and providing plants with water and minerals.
2. Loam is a mixture of materials that holds moisture and drains well. It is a combination of sand, silt, and humus, with no dominant particle size, which makes it ideal for plant growth due to its balanced properties.
3. Sand contains coarse grains and allows water to drain quickly. Its particles are 0.1 to 2 mm in diameter, making it porous and prone to rapid drainage.
4. Silt contains medium grains and retains water. Particles in silt are between 0.002 and 0.1 mm, which helps it hold moisture better than sand, but not as much as clay.
5. Clay contains fine grains and has little space for water, making it less porous. These particles are less than 0.002 mm in diameter, leading to poor drainage and the potential for waterlogging.